I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…

As Christmas nears I find myself getting more and more strapped for personal time. There are so many things that I would like to do, people I would like to visit and experiences I would like to enjoy with Matthew. However, it seems that there are just not enough hours in every day to do all that I would like – which I am ok with.

I tend to get caught up in the perfection of a moment and will let even the tiniest derailment from the plan discourage me. In the past I would turn to food to calm my nerves, but now I try to find other, more healthy, ways to calm myself. I ensure that I schedule at least half and hour every day to workout. It’s a great release for me and keeps me level-headed.

It also helps to remind myself of the reason for the season. Jesus was not born in a perfect situation. In actuality, the situation surrounding his birth – the reason that we are celebrating – was far from perfect.

Mary, an engaged virgin, becomes pregnant. They she and Joseph travel far from home into the chaos of Bethlehem. Mary then goes into labor and they can’t find a place to stay, so they end up in a stable with animals. Scholars believe that the stable was most likely the lowest level of the inn/family home. So, she is in a basement filled with animals, hay and their droppings.

Can you imagine what that would have smelt like? If you have been pregnant, you know how sensitive your sense of smell becomes. *yikes*

After Mary gives birth to Jesus, mind you all alone with the animals, the only place they can lay him to sleep is in a manger, on top of hay… poky, smelly hay. I imagine this is NOT how Mary and Joseph imagined the birth of their son and savior, Jesus. However, it is the reality of the situation.

Whenever I start to feel frazzled or out of control I try to remember that not everything works out perfectly according to my plan. However, everything is perfect according to God’s plan.

So, what does all of this have to do with the delicious bars that I keep showing you?

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be dry, so you may need to use your hands to combine the last of the dry ingredients into the wet.

Press into a 9 inch square pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Use lightly wet fingers to prevent sticking. Smooth into the pan using a sheet of plastic wrap between your fingers and the dough.

Place the pan into the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove bars from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into bars. Wrap individually for a quick portable snack. Store in the fridge or freezer.